In a move that has left many football stakeholders in Kenya both bewildered and outraged, the recent FKF awards gala held at Safari Park in Nairobi has been viewed as a blatant political maneuver rather than a genuine celebration of football excellence.
This event, which marked the return of the gala after many years, was conspicuously exclusive, with invitations extended primarily to club chairmen, CEOs, and a handful of club captains. This selective guest list has sparked concerns that the gala was less about honoring players and more about positioning for the upcoming FKF elections, where club chairmen and CEOs will be the primary voters.
However, the most controversial aspect of the event was the presence of former CS for Sports, Hon. Ababu Namwamba, one of the key political figures invited. Namwamba, who played a pivotal role in reinstating the current FKF regime immediately upon his appointment, attended as a VIP.
This is the same regime that had been previously ousted due to extensive corruption, misappropriation of funds, and gross mismanagement, as affirmed by both the Sports Disputes Tribunal and the High Court.
Investigations by the Sports Registrar had revealed that millions of shillings had been funneled into Nick Mwendwa’s personal accounts, and significant sums remained unaccounted for. The scandal had driven away major sponsors, leaving the premier league financially crippled.
Despite this damning history, Namwamba has persistently sought to rehabilitate the FKF’s image, often drumming up public and governmental support for the discredited administration. His actions suggest a deliberate effort to sanitize the FKF’s tarnished reputation, culminating in the highly publicized gala.
But perhaps the most shocking turn of events was the attendance of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, who was the gala’s chief guest. For many football stakeholders, seeing Mudavadi at an event orchestrated by an illegal regime was a painful betrayal.
It raised serious questions about how easily a high-ranking government official could be co-opted into legitimizing a regime that has wreaked havoc on Kenyan football over the past eight years. Mudavadi’s presence, allegedly at Namwamba’s behest, appears to be part of a broader strategy to further sanitize the FKF and its controversial leaders.
Mudavadi’s attendance was a stark reminder of how political machinations can override principles of good governance, accountability, and integrity. His participation in the event signaled an alarming disregard for the plight of football stakeholders who have suffered under FKF’s mismanagement.
It also raised concerns about the potential misuse of public funds by Nick Mwendwa and Ababu Namwamba earmarked for upcoming events like the CHAN tournament and the AFCON tournament, which Kenya is set to co-host with Uganda and Tanzania in 2027.
In this context, one must ask themselves why would Musalia Mudavadi associate himself with an FKF regime reinstated by Ababu Namwamba, despite its track record of corruption and incompetence? The answer appears to lie in a calculated ploy to secure political and financial gains, at the expense of the very sport they claim to support.
This event, rather than celebrating football, has exposed the lengths to which some leaders will go to sanitize their questionable allies, undermining the sport’s integrity and future in Kenya.
As stakeholders reflect on the gala, it becomes clear that the real winners were not the players or the clubs, but those pulling the political strings behind the scenes. The orchestrated efforts of Namwamba and Mwendwa to rope in Mudavadi highlight a troubling trend in Kenyan football – one where political interests trump the genuine development of the sport. It is a call to action for all who care about the future of Kenyan football to demand transparency, accountability, and an end to the manipulative tactics that continue to plague the sport.